While you are all (hopefully) outside enjoying this beautiful 4th of July, I am stuck inside frantically trying to figure out my gear for upcoming end to end hike of the long trail (leaving VERY soon though I prefer not to disclose exact date). My pack weight (including food and water) is currently 45 pounds and I am panicking a little. I only weigh 135lbs so I was really hoping my pack weight would be more like 33 lbs. I made this list in hopes that some of you would take a look and give me advice. At this point, I really can’t afford to buy many new things (or I won’t be able to afford any hostels or anything fun, and that will make me very sad) so I’m hoping for cheap-ish substitutions or things to leave behind only.
I put a ? if I don’t know weight of and individual item.
SLEEPING/SHELTER
Osprey Ariel 75 pack small – 72 (I know this is big but I’m hesitant to spend $ on a new one)
Trash compacter bag liner - ?
REI Quarter Dome 1 – 42
Quarter Dome Footprint – 7
REI Joule sleeping bag – 34 (rated to 23 degrees, maybe a bit too warm)
Cocoon Silk mummy liner – 4.7 (so I can sleep on top of bag if it’s too hot)
ThermaRest Trail Scout Regular Sleeping Pad – 22
Exped UL Pillow – 1.6
Considering leaving – Tent footprint, UL Pillow, maybe buying lighter tent stakes (not sure how much weight this will save nor do I know which ones to buy)
KITCHEN
MSR Pocket Rocket – 3
Snowpeak Titanium mini solo cookset – 5.5
Lighter – 0.7
LFM Titanium spork – 0.6
Jetboil Cannister 230g – 8.1
Jetboil Cannister 100g spare – 3.5
¼ sponge - ?
Pocket Knife - ?
Food – 174 oz (11 lb, planning on going to Manchester to resupply and this is a bit extra in case of emergency/slower than anticipated)
16L stuff sack (holds food) – 1.6
50 ft nylon tent cord & cheap carribener - ? (to hand food)
Considering Leaving – spare jetboil canister (100g one). Taking less food?
WATER
Platypus 3 L Big Zip – 6
Sawyer mini filter with bag, backflow syringe – 1.6
Water (if bag full) – 105.6 (YIKES!)
Considering – only filling water bag halfway? Using water bottles instead of Platypus? My original plan was to put the filter inline on the hose, but bring the bag that comes with the filter just in case platypus leaks/fails.
CLOTHES I’M WEARING (I don’t know the weight of any of this stuff & none of this stuff is taken into account when I weighed my pack)
Running Tights
IceBreaker Techlite T-Shirt
Columbia omni-shade long sleeve shirt (sun and bug protection)
Underwear (synthetic)
Sports bra (synthetic)
La Sportiva WildCat Trail Runners
REI Trail Running Gaiters
Darn Tough socks
Black Diamond Hiking Poles
*note – treating shirt/pants/socks with permethrin
CLOTHES IN PACK (don’t know the weight of any of this stuff)
Marmot Precip Jacket
Outdoor Research Rain Pants
Icebreaker NatureLite Bottoms and Tops (I don’t know the thickness since I bought used but I’m guessing around 100 g/m2, they seem much thinner/lighter than my smartwool midweight pair that is 250 g/m2)
Columbia fleece jacket
Some mesh exercise shorts
Synthetic T-shirt
2 extra pairs synthetic underwear
2 extra pairs of darn tough socks
Smartwool hat/beanie
Columbia sun hat
Chacos flip flops – 14.6
Thoughts - Not sure if I want to sleep in naturelite long underwear or if it will be to warm. So I thought the exercise shorts and synthetic t-shirt would be an option to sleep in, but can still bring long underwear in case I get cold. OR, I’m worried the running tights might get too hot during the day and could switch to the shorts, although I like the idea of long pants treated with permethrin to keep the ticks off.
Considering Leaving – the long underwear (or just leave the long underwear top)? Smartwool hat? I also have a Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket that is very light weight, I think 7 oz. It seems like overkill to bring that jacket in july but maybe it’s lighter than a Columbia fleece and I could exchange those? Maybe I can ditch the flip flops all together (or find something lighter for camp shoes?)
TECHNOLOGY
Samsung Galaxy S5 in otterbox case - ?
Anker Solar Charger – 12.48
Goal Zero Flip 30 power bank – 6.8 (not the one I wanted, but will have to do for now)
Some random cheap earbuds - ?
Phone charger - ?
ACR ResQ Link - 4.6 (I can’t leave this behind or my mom will probably die from anxiety)
Headlamp – 2.6
3 extra AAA batteries - ?
Luci Solar Lamp - 4
Considering Leaving – Luci Solar Lamp (OK I know some people will say to leave behind the solar charger, or maybe all the technology here but I’m really looking forward to listening to music and audiobooks sometimes)
MISC
Compass
LongTrail Map
EndtoEnd guide
Pepper Spray
Tiny pouch with driver’s license, credit cards, cash, health card
Small journal & pen
FIRST AID (in Ziploc)
Ace Bandage
Small Roll of Gauze
Gauze squares
Moleskin
Suture bandages
Triple antibiotic ointment
Meds – Ibuprofen, aspirin (just a few in case someone has a heart attack, you never know!), immodium benadryl, peptobismol – just a few days worth of each item
EMERGENCY KIT (in Ziploc)
Waterproof matches
Space blanket
Small “backpackers” sewing kit with safety pins, etc
Small amount of duct tape
Some water purification tablets in case filter fails
I wanted to leave waterproof matches and space blanket but the boyfriend says that’s a bad idea
PERSONAL (in Ziploc)
Tweezers
Nail Clippers
Small bag of wet wipes (20 total in bag)
Toilet paper roll (cardboard removed)
Sea to Summit Trowel
Sunscreen
Small bottle of DEET
Travel-sized toothbrush
Travel-sized toothpaste
Small travel towel
Travel hairbrush
Feminine hygiene products
Sunglasses
Bandana
That’s it. If I cut out the following things mentioned earlier [pillow, footprint, extra jetboil canister, carry 1.5L water but use full water system, flip flops, luci lite] that cuts out 5.2 lbs, so I’d still be at around 40 lbs. I know I mentioned a few other things I could cut, but I'm not sure if they are a good idea. Would greatly appreciate ANY input/ideas you all have.
If you bothered to read this long list, I am VERY greatful. Meanwhile, I’ll be over here cutting the tags and strings off everything!